From the Richmond Dispatch, 10/6/1862, p. 2, c. 2

Military Execution. - Saturday witnessed
the execution of the solemn sentence of the court-martial upon the
bodies of McGowan, of company I, 14th Virginia regiment, and John,
Kelleher, company F, same regiment. Truly the way of the
transgressor is hard. These men had been in several battles, in
which they exhibited a sufficient degree of coolness and courage to
entitle them to the name of good soldiers, and command the respect
which such qualities, even, when associated with moral depravity,
never fail to excite. Unfortunately, indifference to danger was not
combined with moral rectitude, and their insensibility to fear,
degenerated into recklessness of honor and indifference to the
opinion and esteem of the community. On the 16th of September, a
general court-martial convened in the city of Richmond, condemned to
death for desertion, privates D. W. Rogers, company G, 1st regiment;
Pat McGowan, company I, 14th, and John Kelleher, company F, same
regiment. On the 15th of July, the same court had sentenced Owen
Maguire, of company H, 1st Virginia regiment, to receive one hundred
lashes on his bare back for desertion. This was commuted to half the
number by order of Gen. Winder.

On the morning appointed for the execution of
the several sentences the four prisoners were started from Castle
Thunder at a quarter to 10 o'clock, in the large omnibus of the
Exchange hotel, surrounded by an escort, composed of Capt. Wrenn's
Henrico cavalry. At ten minutes of 11 o'clock the procession entered
Camp Lee, (Central Fair Grounds,) where over two thousand soldiers
had been drawn up in a hollow square to witness the spectacle.
Proceeding directly to the spot, the dragoons were halted on the
outer edge of the square nearest Richmond, while the vehicle
containing the criminals, officers, and their spiritual adviser,
drove quite to the spot where the tragedy was to be enacted. Here
some time was spent, the minutes seeming to lengthen into hours, the
only occupants of the omnibus being the condemned and the priest,
when a wagon drove up near by, and two pine coffins were deposited.
Shortly the solid tramp of armed men broke the almost deathless
silence that prevailed, and then was heard the voice of the man of
God in the last offices for the dying. This concluded, an officer
stepped in silence to the vehicle, and its occupants descended, and
followed him to the front of the men appointed to carry the sentence
into execution — a portion of Capt. Cyrus Bossieux's company.

The clear voice of Assistant Provost Marshal
Alexander then broke with painful distinctness on the ears of
hundreds, as he read "General Orders" condemning McGowan and
Kelleher to be shot to death with musketry and Maguire to be
whipped, for desertion.--The respite of Rogers for fourteen days was
also announced. A painful pause ensued, while all awaited in
breathless expectation the enactment of the dreadful scene. The
condemned commenced taking off their coats and hats. They were each
calm and collected. The firing squads were divided, twelve to each
man, and placed a little apart. The men took their phrase in front,
and the minister of God approached them for the last time. He seemed
to whisper of hope and consolation, for they show no signs of fear.
At their request, for they said they could die like soldiers, their
arms are not pinioned. They wish the muskets presented to their
breasts. In answer to the question whether they have anything to
say, Kelleher remains silent. McGowan says "nothing," and adds with
emphasis, looking at his executioners, "good bye, boys." a white
bandage is tied over their faces; they kneel down, and in a moment
the sharp crack of musketry tell that all The fall to the ground on
then faces and turn over.—Kelleher was instantly killed, his
companion lingered for a moment when his pulse ceased to beat. Each
had satisfied the majesty of an offended law. Their bodies were
placed in the coffins provided for the purpose and taken away by the
undertaker. Nothing but quantities of clotted blood, which had
exuded from their backs and fell on the ground, denoted the scene of
the tragedy. Preparations were then made for carrying into execution
the sentence of whipping Owen Maguire. A stout dragoon from Captain
Wrenn's company volunteered to perform the duty. Maguire was tied up
to a tree by the hands and feet and received the punishment with
much wriggling and twisting. It seemed to be awfully at was honestly
laid on with a double leather strap, broad and long. When let down
he looked quite exhausted. Maguire is a middle aged, thick set, low
man, with a serious cast of countenance. He first belonged to
Captain H. B. Dickinson's company, was taken prisoner and paroled at
Roanoke Island. In May last, while a paroled prisoner, he sold
himself as a substitute as Patrick McDonald, in company H, 1st Va.
regiment, fought at Williamsburg, and directly thereafter ran away.
One of the lieutenants of that company caught him and his trial and
punishment ensued as above recorded. We trust this execution will
not fall to have its moral effect upon our soldiers.